Witnesses to war: reporting conflict

The difficulties and dangers faced by journalists reporting conflict will be explored by a panel of war correspondents in an event for the Centre for Advanced Journalism at the University of Melbourne tomorrow, Wednesday 11 May. In addition to the dangers posed to journalists, the nature of conflicts has changed, said Dr Fay Anderson, historian and author of a recent book about the Australian experience of conflict reporting. 'Most present day conflicts do not involve standing armies that agree to respect the role of the reporters and photographers. Most conflicts are now fought between combatants who see journalists as enemies to be targeted,' Dr Anderson said. ?As the horrific assault on 60 Minutes reporter Lara Logan in Egypt all too clearly shows, there is no harder job in journalism than reporting conflict. Not only do journalists and photographers put their lives at risk, but on the front line, a single inaccurate report or image can ignite rage in regions already in turmoil.' Dr Anderson says how foreign conflict is reported and how it has affected Australia are 'fundamental' issues, and war reportage plays an important role in shaping political opinions about war. 'It is often argued that war has defined Australia, with World War I, as reported by the press, providing the template for one of Australia's most enduring and potent narratives: the Anzac legend.' Dr Anderson is the author with Richard Trembath of the MUP publication Witnesses to War: The History of Australian Conflict Reporting.